The long-awaited report into the Richard Neale scandal - published today - criticises the failure of local and regional health officials to adequately investigate complaints against the surgeon during his chequered career.
The independent inquiry was set up last May to investigate how the NHS dealt with complaints against the former Northallerton surgeon.
The 376-page report, published by the Department of Health, recommends that a standard NHS procedure should be set up so that patients can nominate a third part to act as their advocate in raising concerns if they are unable to do so.
It also recommends that trainee doctors should spend time observing the PALS (Patient Advisory Liaison Service) process of dealing with complaints and that all PALS appointees across the NHS should be properly trained.
The inquiry notes that it was "hampered2 by difficulties in identifying NHS post holders over a period of time and urged the Department of Health to ensure that the NHS is better able to trace and identify staff after incidents occur.
Neale was struck off in 2000 after botching a string of operations at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton between 1985-95,
A support group representing around 300 victims has criticised medical and NHS authorities for allowing someone who was struck off in Canada to practice in the UK.
More in Friday's Northern Echo.
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